Spotify expands Audiobooks to France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg

On October 14, 2024, Spotify announced the expansion of its audiobook service to four new European countries: France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. This move, coming just over a year after the initial launch of Audiobooks in Premium, marks a significant step in Spotify's efforts to broaden its audio content offerings and tap into new markets.

According to Spotify, eligible Premium subscribers in these countries will now have access to more than 200,000 audiobook titles as part of their existing subscriptions. This includes a wide range of works from local authors such as Gaël Faye, Maylis de Kerangal, Joël Dicker, Suzanne Vermeer, and Saskia Noort. For titles not included in the Premium offering, users can purchase them individually.

Antoine Monin, Managing Director of Spotify Western Europe, emphasized the potential impact of this expansion: "Spotify's reach presents a significant opportunity to expand the audiobooks market across France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg." Monin added that the platform now features 15,000 French titles and 15,000 Dutch and Flemish titles, furthering Spotify's mission to empower audio creators globally and connect them with audiences both locally and internationally.

Spotify reports encouraging results from the first year of its Audiobooks in Premium offering in previously launched markets. The company has observed increased user engagement among listeners who started an audiobook for the first time. In the United States, these users spend an average of five additional hours on Spotify over their first two months after starting a book.

David Kaefer, Head of Music and Audiobooks Business at Spotify, stated, "This launch is a step toward growing the pie for everyone in the industry, supporting authors in finding new audiences, and making it easier for people to discover the audiobooks format."

Premium individual subscribers and plan managers for Family and Duo accounts in the new markets will receive 12 hours of listening per month. Books marked as "Included in Premium" are readily available for playback. For users who exceed their monthly allocation, a 10-hour top-up is available for €9.99.

Spotify has integrated audiobooks into its platform alongside music and podcasts, aiming to create a comprehensive audio experience. Users can explore audiobook recommendations through the Home feed or navigate to the dedicated Audiobooks hub for curated selections.

The announcement was made in Paris, featuring a panel with key figures from the publishing industry:

• Laure Saget, CEO of Hachette's Audiolib and Audiobook Commission President at the French Publishers Association
• Liza Faja, Head of Lizzie, the audiobook imprint of Editis
• Éric Marbeau, Head of Digital Distribution at Madrigall, parent company of Éditions Gallimard and Editions Flammarion
• Timothée Borne, CEO of the immersive audio content production company Blynd Media

This collaboration underscores Spotify's commitment to working closely with publishers and authors to expand its audiobook catalog and support the growth of the audiobook industry.

With 28% of Spotify's users located in Europe, the company sees significant potential for growth in the audiobook market. The expansion is expected to create new opportunities for local authors and rights holders, potentially opening up additional revenue streams for the industry.

Spotify's entry into these new markets could have a substantial impact on the audiobook landscape, given the platform's large user base and its ability to integrate audiobooks seamlessly with other audio content.

Key Facts

• Launch date: October 14, 2024
• New markets: France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg
• Total audiobook titles available: Over 200,000
• French titles added: 15,000
• Dutch and Flemish titles added: 15,000
• Monthly listening allowance for Premium subscribers: 12 hours
• Top-up option: 10 hours for €9.99
• Percentage of Spotify users in Europe: 28%